"With both Marine Headquarters and the G-5 fortress, there must always be someone stationed at the fort. It's unlikely that Marine Headquarters will make a move themselves..."
In a spacious and well-lit hall, Wilhelm sat calmly on the sofa, legs crossed.
Katakuri and Smoothie were analyzing the Marine's situation.
"Marine Fleet Admiral Kong may be strong and has accomplished a lot in the past, but he's getting old. As the highest-ranking officer, he won't act easily..."
"The Big Mom Pirates aren't as powerful as the Whitebeard Pirates, so even if the Marines are being cautious, I think they will send Admiral Sengoku the Buddha and the three Admiral Candidates instead."
Since the start of the Great Pirate Era, it's rare for the Marines to launch such a large-scale operation in the New World.
Other than Fleet Admiral Kong, the one who usually leads major battles is Admiral Sengoku the Buddha. However, as the Marine's supreme commander, Kong normally wouldn't leave Headquarters himself. After decades of service, he's already past his prime.
Otherwise, things wouldn't have played out the way they did two years ago. Back then, the first half of the Grand Line was in chaos because of "Red Earl" Redfield, and even the waters near Marine Headquarters were unsettled.
At that time, Admiral Sengoku, Garp the Fist, and other high-ranking Marines were all sent out to suppress the constant pirate disturbances.
Fleet Admiral Kong had no choice but to personally lead his troops to capture the Red Earl. The battle lasted ten days and nights, but in the end, he was defeated.
The Red Earl, exhausted from the long fight, was eventually captured by Marine Hero Garp, who arrived in time to subdue him.
That humiliating experience was enough for Kong—he wouldn't want to go through it again.
As for Garp the Fist, though he's a highly respected Marine hero with countless achievements, he still can't replace an Admiral's role.
Meanwhile, former Admiral "Black Arm" Z has already stepped back and taken on the role of Chief Instructor at the Marine Academy. He's unlikely to participate in major battles anymore.
On the other hand, the three Admiral Candidates are already strong enough to become full Admirals—they just lack enough military achievements and reputation.
If Wilhelm were the Marine Fleet Admiral in this situation, there would be no hesitation. Sengoku the Buddha, who is almost guaranteed to be the next Fleet Admiral, would be chosen to lead the operation, along with the future three Admirals.
Meanwhile, Hero Garp and Black Arm Z would stay at the G-5 fortress to guard against attacks from the Whitebeard Pirates and Beasts Pirates.
Aside from Fortress G-1, which serves as a key defense point for Mary Geoise, the Marines have no other strongholds in the New World. They must always be ready to reinforce the front lines.
At the same time, this would give the younger Admirals a chance to earn military achievements.
Secondly, Admiral Sengoku the Buddha can take full command of the battle, further strengthening his reputation within the Marines and proving his ability to the World Government's top officials. This would help pave the way for him to become the next Fleet Admiral.
Thirdly, this would allow Sengoku, the most suitable candidate for Fleet Admiral, to coordinate in advance with the future Marine Admirals.
Even if Fleet Admiral Kong isn't ready to step down, he also doesn't want Sengoku—the Marine most likely to challenge his authority—to become too popular. If Sengoku's prestige grows too much, it could threaten his own position.
Because of this, Kong, fearing Sengoku's rising influence, ignored all opposition and replaced him as the commander of the Expeditionary Grand Fleet. Instead, he chose Garp the Fist—a Marine hero with enough prestige to maintain order but without ambition for higher ranks.
All in all, this battle was nothing more than a political move.
"Is that not enough of a display of force?"
Even with the power of the Air-Logia Devil Fruit, Katakuri wasn't at ease. Considering the overwhelming odds ahead, his expression remained serious.
"One Marine Admiral, three exceptionally strong Vice Admirals who are also candidates for Admiral, plus a massive expeditionary fleet with tens of thousands of elite Marines and countless skilled officers… That's enough to make any force hesitate."
Hearing this, Smoothie's expression also turned grave.
She nodded in agreement and said to Wilhelm with concern, "To put it bluntly, if the Marines are willing to grit their teeth and accept massive casualties, even if they have to fight to the bitter end..."
"Then even the so-called Uncrowned King of the New World—the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Edward Newgate, the man known as the Strongest in the World—could be targeted in a full-scale war."
"War isn't a game!"
"We have to be cautious and not underestimate them!"
Katakuri frowned.
From what he knew, Wilhelm was never reckless or arrogant.
"As Big Brother Katakuri said..."
Wilhelm chuckled and said confidently, "War isn't a game, nor is it some staged duel where both sides simply send out their strongest fighters and compare power to decide the winner."
"The battlefield is unpredictable. Even the strongest monster can be taken down if they let their guard down for even a moment."
"Especially with the strange and dangerous abilities of Devil Fruits—some are impossible to defend against, while others are as devastating as natural disasters. They can completely change or even overturn traditional warfare!"
He never planned to just sit back and let the enemy make their move first. He wasn't interested in a straightforward naval battle where fleets bombard each other before a full-scale war erupts, with soldiers fighting soldiers, kings facing kings, and generals battling generals.
That would be ridiculous.
This is war.
And in war, anything goes.
The goal is to strike first, using every possible method to cause maximum damage to the enemy. The priority is to eliminate key threats before the battle even begins.
Ideally, they would cripple the Marines' strongest fighters before the real war could even start.
That's the true path to victory!
"Stop being vague, Wilhelm..."
"If you have a plan, just say it!"
Smoothie and Katakuri were confused.
They looked at Wilhelm, who was brimming with confidence, as if he already had everything under control.
They were unsure where his confidence was coming from.
After all, they were facing a massive Marine fleet with tens of thousands of elite troops.
Not to mention that the Marines would likely send at least two of their strongest fighters into battle.
A battle of this scale wasn't something even the Whitebeard Pirates—the Uncrowned King of the New World—would take lightly. Even they would have to be fully prepared for war and would never act carelessly.
Katakuri, being the cautious and strategic type, understood better than most what it truly meant to face a Marine Admiral.
Unlike some of his more reckless family members, he wasn't blindly confident in Big Mom's strength.
Sengoku the Buddha, the Tactical Admiral, had clashed with Whitebeard countless times in the past. Even if he was weaker than the Strongest Man in the World, the difference wasn't that great.
In other words, even if Big Mom—a natural-born monster with terrifying strength—were to fight Sengoku, victory wouldn't come easily.
And this time, the Marines weren't just sending one top fighter.
There was a high chance that more than one Admiral Candidate—who were all strong enough to become full Admirals—would be part of the attack.
At this moment, no one in the world could face two or more Marine Admirals at once.
Even Golden Lion Shiki, who once arrogantly stormed into Marineford alone, had been crushed.
Back then, even Fleet Admiral Kong didn't need to step in—Shiki was taken down by Admiral Sengoku and Garp the Fist.
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